Dharwad: The government-sponsored Tipu Jayanti programme was held smoothly under heavy police security at the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha Auditorium here on Saturday.Police picked up about 60 BJP workers, including corporators, who tried to take out a march from the party office on Subhas Road to protest Tipu Jayanti. They were taken to Vidyagiri Police station and released later. Barring this incident, life was normal in the city.District minister R V Deshpande , who was slated to inaugurate the celebrations at KVV Sangha, and legislative council pro-tem chairman Basavaraj Horatti, who was to be the chief guest, stayed away from the function. BJP MP Pralhad Joshi and legislators Arvind Bellad, Amrut Desai, C M Nimbannavar, Jagadish Shettar, Shanker Patil Munenakopp and mayor Sudhir Saraf were also absent.Deputy commissioner Deepa Cholan inaugurated the programme and read out a message sent by Deshpande.Congress MLAs C S Shivalli and Prasad Abbayya hailed Tipu Sultan as a valiant king who fought the British. Both the MLAs accused the BJP and right-wing organisations of opposing the Jayanti without a valid reason. They also alleged that attempts were being made to distort history by painting Tipu as a traitor and anti-Hindu. “Tipu Sultan was never against any religion. He was involved in benevolent acts to help the people of all castes and creed,” the MLAs said.

Stay updated with all the Latest Hubli headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.